jim.shamlin.com

Web and Internet

This is an attempt to organize my notes by topic. Stress on "attempt," as it's rather a wreck right now, and I expect it always will be.

 

Design and Usability

The Art of Game Design (Books)
Jesse Schell (Morgan Kaufmann: 2008)
A guide to designing compelling computer games (as a source of ideas and inspiration for designing compelling Web experiences).
Built for Use: Driving Profitability Through the User Experience (Books)
Karen Donoghue (McGraw-Hill: 2002)
A (somewhat dated) exploration of the critical importance of utility and usability to the conception and development of online services.
Creating Customer Value on the Digital Frontier (Books)
B. Joseph Pine II and Kim C. Korn (Berrett-Koehler: 2011)
A model for exploring ideas based on the methods by which digital technology enables users to have experiences outside the constraints of physical environment, tangible objects, and linear time.
Defensive Design for the Web (Research)
Matther Linderman and Jason Fried (New Riders Press: 2004)
Introduces the concept of defensive design: planning for contingencies where things do not go as planned.
The Design of Everyday Things (Books)
Don Norman (Basic Books: 2013)
A loosely-organized set of observations taht advocate making devices and objects more suitable for use.
Designing Web Forms for Usability (Books)
Caroline Jarrett and Gerry Gaffney (Morgan Kaufmann Publishers: 2009)
Guidance intended to improve the accuracy and completeness of data gathered from Web site visitors and makes the task easier for the user to accomplish.
Developing Effective Websites (Books)
Roy Strauss and Patrick Hogan (Focal Press: 2001)
Guidance for managing Web site development projects, which are significantly different than typical business projects, and slightly different from software development ones.
Don't Make Me Think (Books)
Steve Krug (New Riders: 2014)
Tips and guidance for making web and mobile sites more usable, based on years of conducting and observing usability testing.
Gamify (Books)
Brian Burke (Bibliomotion: 2014)
Gamification is more than eye-candy and gimmicks; when done properly it engages meaningful and beneficial behavior.
Landing Page Optimization (Books)
Tim Ash (Sybex: 2008)
This book deals with an essential and often overlooked aspect of promotion: once you have attracted visitors to your Web site, what do you do with them?
Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines (Books)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines: 2006)
A collection of guidelines for developing Web sites, based on research (albeit sometimes outdated or specious research).
Section 508 (Articles)
A close reading of section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, which pertains to accessibility of government-owned media resources.
Shaping Web Usability (Books)
Albert N. Badre (Addison Wesley: 2002)
An early exploration of the topic of usability - to be approached with caution, as the information is dated and, in some instances, or dubious validity.
Web Site Usability: A Designer's Guide (Books)
Jared M. Spool (Morgan Kaufmann Publishers: 1999)
Widely acknowledged as a foundational work in Web site usability, this book documents an extensive study into the factors that facilitate or frustrate users' attempts to use Web sites.

 

Marketing

Customer Service on the Internet (Books)
Jim Sterne (John Wiley & Sons: 1996)
Explores the potential and unique characteristics of the Web as a channel for customer service.
Introduction to Mobile Advertising (Articles)
Lawrence Harte (Althos: 2008)
Presents information about advertising targeted to mobile devices.
Monitoring and Managing Reputations Online (Books)
Andy Beal and Judy Strauss (Sybex: 2008)
An examination of the way in which the Internet has made both companies and individuals "radically transparent," the potentially negative consequences, and the potential for cultivation.
Persuasive Technology (Books)
B.J. Fogg (Kaufmann Publishers: 2003)
A psychological perspective on the use of computer technology toward affecting the attitudes and behaviors of users.
Personality Characteristics Evident in Product Ratings (Essays)
A slapdash study of the personality characteristics of individuals who post ratings and reviews to Web sites, based on the analysis of personality components evident in the content of the reviews they post.
The Psychology of the Internet (Books)
Patricia M. Wallace (Cambridge University Press: 1999)
An early attempt at applying the principles of psychology to the behavior of individuals and groups on the Internet
Social Media Marketing for Business (Books)
Eileen Brown (BCS: 2010)
A perspective on some ways in which commercial organizations can leverage social media, primarily to engage with customers
Social Media Marketing Handbook (Books)
Darren Barefoot and Julie Szabo (No Starch Press: 2010)
A guide for marketing professionals who are seeking to leverage social media as a marketing channel.
The Third Screen (Books)
Chuck Martin (Brealey: 2011)
A fairly reasonable consideration of the mobile channel, covering customer behavior and ways in which commercial interests can leverage the channel without becoming intrusive.
Web Metrics (Books)
Jim Sterne (John Wiley: 2002)
A discussion of methods for assessing Web site data to provide meaningful information for decision making.

 

Practical Applications

Bank 2.0
Brett King (Cyan Communications: 2010)
A consideration of the changes that may take place in the banking and financial services sector as a result of technological advances and changes in customer habits and attitudes.
Broadband Applications and the Digital Home (Books)
John Turnbull and Simon Garrett (IET: 2003)
Considers the ways in which Internet technology coumd potentially impact the lives of consumers in their places of residence.
Crowdsourcing (Books)
Jeff Howe (Doubleday: 2009)
An enthusiastic but generally realistic consideration of the potential of networked technology as a medium for mass collaboration.
Essential Business Tactics for the Net (Books)
Larry Chase (John Wiley & Sons: 1998)
An overview of various approaches to utilize Internet technology to support business operations (written before the dot-com crash, so approach with caution).

 

Theory

Challenging the Wisdom of Systems (Books)
Claudio Ciborra (Oxford University Press: 2002)
An examination of the current crisis in information technology that arises from the myopia of the systems-centric mindset.
Human Needs and the New Computing Technology (Books)
Ben Shneiderman (MIT Press: 2002)
An (polemical) examination of technology that campaigns for a shift from system-centered to user-centered application and design.
The Laws of Simplicity (Articles)
John Maeda (MIT Press: 2006)
Ten principles that are geared toward eliminating the unnecessary complexity and clutter in product design.
Media and Cultural Theory (Articles)
Stephen Hill and Bevis Fenner (Ventus: 2010)
A survey of the development of media and cultural theory that examines various philosophies of media
The Psychology of the Internet (Books)
Patricia M. Wallace (Cambridge University Press: 1999)
An early attempt at applying the principles of psychology to the behavior of individuals and groups on the Internet
Socioeconomic and Legal Implications of Electronic Intrusion (Books)
Dionysios Politis, Phaedon-John Kozyris and Ioannis Iglezakis (IGI Global: 2009)
A collection of articles that explore the phenomenon of electronic intrusion, including both e-crime and the various violations of personal privacy, consumer trust, and civil rights.

 

Mobile

Always On (Books)
Brian X. Chen (Da Capo: 2011)
An attempt to consider the impact of mobile technology that skims the surface of a handful of the social impacts that result from constant connectivity.
Designing the Mobile User Experience (Books)
Barbara Ballard (Wiley: 2007)
A sensible approach to considering the specific needs of the mobile market, albeit based on user behaviors and technologies that will change rapidly in future.
When Gadgets Betray Us (Books)
Robert Vamosi (Basic Books: 2011)
Between the extremes of hysteria and foolhardiness, there is a level of valid concern over the way in which technology, particualrly mobile devices, poses a level of risk that merits consideration.
Six Immutable Laws of Mobile Business (Books)
Philip Sugai, Marco Koeder and Ludovico Ciferri (Wiley: 2009)
Considers trends in mobile in Japan from both the business and consumer perspective, some of which may be relevant to the global market.
Mobile Learning (Articles)
Lorrie Lykins (ASTD: 2010)
A brief overview of the potential of mobile devices to serve as a platform for delivering "learning" experiences - including training and follow-on instructional and informational support.
The Third Screen (Books)
Chuck Martin (Brealey: 2011)
A fairly reasonable consideration of the mobile channel, covering customer behavior and ways in which commercial interests can leverage the channel without becoming intrusive.

 

Social Media

Facebook Companion (Books)
Matthew Miller (Wiley: 2011)
Outdated on the day it was published, this book nonetheless provides a decent overview of basics features of social networking.
Manager's Guide to Social Media (Books)
Scott Klososky (McGraw-Hill: 2011)
A hash of topics that a manager should consider when using social media - personally, for his subordinates, and for his firm. Light on support, but food for through nonetheless.
Monitoring and Managing Reputations Online (Books)
Andy Beal and Judy Strauss (Sybex: 2008)
An examination of the way in which the Internet has made both companies and individuals "radically transparent," the potentially negative consequences, and the potential for cultivation.
Social Nation: How to Harness the Power of Social Media (Books)
Barry Libert (Wiley & Sons: 2010)
An overview of networking that, while somewhat tainted by cheerleading and self-promotion, offers some interesting insights on encouraging the input and participation the groups of people who interact with a firm.
Socialnomics (Books)
Erik Qualman (Wiley: 2011)
A fanboy's case for the impact of social media on commercial activities that, while melodramatic and distorted, presents some food for thought.
Virtual Community Practices and Social Interactive Media (Books)
Demosthenes Akoumianakis (IGI Gloabl: 2009)
A collection of academic papers written by various authors on a range of topics related to social media.

 

Loose Topics

Actionable Web Analytics: Using Data to Make Smart Business Decisions (Books)
Jason Burby and Shane Atchison (Wiley & Sons: 2007)
A primer on Web analytics that seeks to explain basic methods for sifting meaningful information from the data that results from visitors' use of a Web site.
Conversion Optimization: The Art and Science of Optimized Marketing (Books)
Chris Goward (Sybex: 2013)
Focusing primarily on small to medium-sized operations, this book provides some guidance for improving conversion rates by altering the design elements of web sites.
Designer-SME Collaboration (Articles)
Nathan Eckel (ASTD: 2010)
This booklet coaches instructional designers in establishing and maintaining a positive working relationship with subject matter experts.
The Internet and American Business (Books)
William Aspray and Paul E. Ceruzzi (MIT Press: 2008)
A collection of articles intended to provide a broader perspective into the nature of the Internet and its impact on American business.
Internet Economics (Books)
Lee W. McKnight and Joseph P. Bailey (MIT Press: 1998)
A (somewhat dated) study of the market for Internet services from the perspective of economics.
Landing Page Optimization (Books)
Tim Ash (Sybex: 2008)
This book deals with an essential and often overlooked aspect of promotion: once you have attracted visitors to you Web site, what do you do with them?
Service Oriented Architecture Field Guide (Books)
Kyle Gabhart and Bibhas Bhattacharya (John Wiley & Sons: 2008)
A high-level overview of service-oriented architecture (SOA), a recent trend in information systems development.
Writing Better Software Requirements (Books)
Ben Rinzler (John Wiley & Sons: 2009)
A common-sense approach that departs from the current practice of complex and incomprehensible documentation techniques to arrive at clear, compelling, and usable requirements documents.